Rugby
Boks set for return against the Pumas─── 09:13 Tue, 12 Aug 2014
Morgan Piek
Bloemfontein - It’s all systems go for the majority of the Springboks in the Rugby Championship squad to face Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday.
Western Province duo Eben Etzebeth and Frans Malherbe have both been given green light to play, along with Tendai Mtawarira.
Captain Jean De Villiers looks set to return as well as he completes his last few days of rehab.
Veteran lock, Victor Matfield, who skippered the side in the absence of De Villiers, is the only casualty in the squad.
Team doctor, Craig Roberts said the player doesn’t require surgery, and will be reassessed ahead of the away leg against the Pumas.
"The one issue was of course is Victor Matfield who tweaked his knee. He had scans and saw an orthopaedic specialist and he responded well to rest and rehab," said Roberts.
"We were a bit concerned that he might have to have a scope to clean out that little bit of cartilage. We will reassess him next week and see if he is available for the overseas leg against Argentina."
Etzebeth and Malherbe were released to play for Western Province in their 35-16 win over the Eastern Province Kings in the Currie Cup.
The pair were released in order to gain some much needed match fitness following long injury lay-offs, but Roberts confirmed that the duo are fully fit and will be re-joining the group.
The team to face the Pumas will be announced at 12:30 tomorrow.
Saturday’s Test at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 17:00, while the Wallabies are at home to the All Blacks at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, with kick-off at 12:05.
Doc Craig Roberts is happy with Jean de Villiers and Tendai Mtawarira:
